Any fellow supernerds know if NHS got new molds when they switched to China or if they were using old ones but merely on a different continent?
I can tell that the baseplates are
slightly different. Idk about the hangers..
The change to the finish/polish could be from using finer sand? But I think they're just polishing the shit outta em now cuz China doesn't care about water pollution, cheaper electricity/labor rates..
Cast baseplate..
Put it next to an old "assembled in US" baseplate and the China one was a tiny bit taller/thicker at the mounting pad.
So probably a tiny bit taller where the bottom washer goes.. and total height..
Tiny, tiny change..
About 0.5mm, 0.020" but I didn't break out a straight edge and feeler gauges..
Or think to use my micrometer or caliper. drrh..
Forged baseplate..
Didn't notice any thickness changes but some edges might have a slightly different radius?
I've got some old and new Ti's now so I'll have a second look..
*The parting line for the die is now on the bottom of the baseplate*
Stage X has the parting line visible on the side of the mounting pad
I think the earlier Ti has the parting line on the side but should double check..
Parting line..
How to explain this?
Forged aluminum stuff is made in a two-part (or more..) metal die.
There's a small seam where the dies meet and aluminum will flow into it and form a tiny ridge.
That ridge is the parting line left in the finished piece.